Disappearing-screen window.



Patented Spt. 15, 19141 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

36 3 7 WW 38 E? I l I L Iflfienfor. Clinic): ESonwrs O. E. SOMERS. DISAPPEARING SCREEN WINDOW.

21101111011 FILED 111112112. 1913.

Patented Sept 15, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

All I a i 1 F l /9 1 1' 1) W I 02112107; if zers l lhesses %/5% W C. E. SOMERS. DISAPPEARING SCREEN WINDOW. APPLICATION IILED MARJZ, 191s.

Patented Sept, 15,1914.

3 BHBBTSSHEBT 3.

l F l 52 57 5? 57 lmvewr 53 I CZmZZnESonw ..H 66/ a i/zessesi To all whom it may concern:

. Los Angeles,

windows having one or out.

' tached to same.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLINTON E. SOMEBS, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNO OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

DISAPPEARING-SCREEN WINDOW.

Be it known that I, CLINTON E. SoMnRs, a citizen of the United States, residing at in the county of Los Angeles and Stateof California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Disappearing- Screen Windows, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of more sashes, such as the usual top and bottom sash, and which windows are provided with disappearing screens adapted to complement said sashes, so that the screens gap the window opening created by raising or lowering the sashes.

The invention embraces certain -features of novelty hereinafter"particularly pointed The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.

Figure 1 is a transverse broken section through a window embracing this invention, the section being on line 00 Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 2 is a broken view of a screen embracing this invention. Fig. 3 is a broken transverse section through the same screen and is on line 00 Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a broken transverse section through another screen, said section being on line 92*, Figs. 1 and 7. Fig. 5 is a broken plan section through the window on line :0 Figs. 1 and 7 Fig. 6 is a broken transverse section through the window on line a, Figs. 1 and 7 Fig. 7 is a broken elevation of the window partly in section on line a, Figs. 1 and 5. Fig. 8 is an enlarged section through a fragment of the window, and shows a portion of the bottom sash, bottom screen and means for connecting the same together. Fig. 9 is an enlarged broken section through the window on line w-w Figs. 1 and 10. Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of a fragment of the win dow, and shows a novel shade bracket at- Fig. 11 is a section through the window fragment shown in Fig. 10, and is on line wm Figs. 1 and 10. Fig. 12 shows in section a fragmentary portion of an upper and lower sash provided with a novel fly-guard. Fig. 13 is a section through a fragment of the fly-guard on line 00 Fig. 1.

For purposes of clearness the usual pulley and pulley weights have been omitted from the figures, but it will be understood, of

Specificationof Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

Application filed March 12, 1913. Serial Zia-753,823.

course, that the figures are merely conventional in this respect, and that the use of the ordlnary pulley and pulley weights for thesashes is optional with builder and lies within the spirit ofthe invention.

The window includes the usual window casing having a header 1, Fig. 1, the sill 2 and the pulley stiles 3. The parting heads 4, Figs. 1, 5 a'nd'6, pass up along the window casing and are set in pulley stiles 3,

while the mold stops 5 and blind stops 6 .are attached to the window casing in the usual manner.

Between the parting beads 1 and .the blind stops 6 runs the usual upper sash '1 having stiles 8, top rail 9, look rail 10, and window pane 11. Between the parting heads 4 and the mold stops 5 runs the usual bottom sash 12 havingstiles 13, upper rail 14 and bottom rail 15.

Through the header 1 is cut a header passage 16 leading to the screen chamber 17 above said header. The parting bead 4 is seen, Figs. 1 and 7, to pass up into chamber 17, and in addition to its usual functions said parting bead serves to guide an upper screen 18 in a manner more particularly described hereafter. The screen 18 is adapted to pass down through the header passage 3 TO ELMER '1. GALLEY,

16, and except for certain stops, to be'hereinafter described, said screen is adapted to follow the top sash in its downward course, so as to gap across the window opening created by lowering said top sash.

Through the sill 2 is out a sill passage 19 leading to a screen chamber 20 below said sill. A bottom screen 21 is adapted to occupy a concealed position in the chamber 20, as shown in Fig. 1, and is also adapted to slide up through sill passage 19 and to follow bottom sash 12 in its upward course so as to gap across the window opening created by raising said bottom sash.-

In adapting for service the type of disappearing screen window thus far described, it is a very essential prerequisite that the window be adequately equipped with means for excluding rain,'snow, wind, dust, or any other meteorological inclemencies. Unless the window were thus made proof against the elements rain and wind would drive up along sill 2, beneath bottom rail 15 and down through sill passage 19 into chamber 20. The rain and wind would also drive against parting bead 4 and stiles 13 of the lower sash, and if its force was sufficiently great said rain and wind would drive through the crack between said parting bead and stiles onto the pulley stile 3, from whence a large portion would drain downward onto sill 2, through sill passage 19 and into chamber 20. The chamber 20being'bounded on one side by wall 22, which is usually made of plaster and constitutes an interior wall of the house or room, it is obvious that water trapped in chamber 20 would play havoc by spoiling.

and staining, the appearance of said..:plas: tered wall. If damage of this sort wereperf mitted to occur the use of such disappearing screen windows would become rapidly un popular, and for the purpose of adequately protecting the system against leaks into chamber '20this invention embraces novelprovisions now to be described. These provisions broadly include three features which may be used separately to advantage, but which cooperate jointly to exclude rain and snow from screen chamber 20, and which are preferably used in combination. These features comprise, first, a novel weather strip for the sill;second, a parting bead cover attached to the stiles of the sash; and third, a novel bottom screen frame which may be constructed so thin as to cooperate efiiciently with the bottom rail for a purpose hereinafter described, and which still leaves free a sufficient width of the bottom rail, which usually is narrow, so that the latter may properly cooperate with said weather strip guard on the sill. Each of these features will now be described in turn. v

The shape of the weather strip for the sill is best. illustrated in Fig. 8, and is seen to be located outside of the sill passage 19. The strip itself is preferably made of some noncorrosive metal such as zinc or galvanized iron, for instance, whereby it is possible to secure a very thin but durable structure which may be adaptedto operate within the exceedingly restricted space-limitations encountered. Thestrip comprises a metal contrivance 23 extending completely across the sill from one pulley stile to the other, and grooved" into said sill as at 24, while nails 25 secure it in position. Near its upper edge the strip is also provided with an outwardly extending bead 26 formed, for instance, by rolling the metal over, as shown in the figures, and by this provision the force of rain, dust, wind, etc., is broken and reflected back and out along the sill. In order to secure'the best advantages from such a strip the bottom rail 15 of the lower sash is grooved on its slower edge, as shown at 27, so as to allow; said weather strip to extend up into saidgrofove when saidsash is resting on the sill. The bead-'26 may rest against the outer grooved portion 28, and if the rainor dust drive up along the sill beneath portion 29 of the bottom rail, said rain or dust will be tzsub'staz'itially into'a right angle, one leg "cf-"which is g rooved and nailed into the sash styles as at 31- and 32, respectively, Fig. 6,

while the other leg of said cover laps over and into a rabbeted or grooved portion 33 of the parting bead. By this -provlsion the rain and dust are effectively prevented from driving through the crack between the parting bead and'the sash stiles, and are con sequently prevented from draining down into the sill passage 19 and chamber 20.

The screen aforesaid contains certain features of novelty, each adapted particularly for combination with the'bottom rail 15 and weather strip 23. For purposes of convenience and appearance it is desirable that figllly formedas shown, by a piece of metal said screen lie directly beneath said bottom I rail 15 of the lower sash, and to make this feasiblevv a screen frame, having minimum thickness coupled with strength and rigidity, is provided. The novel construction of said frameis best shown in Figs. 2, ,3 and 4, and one of its faces jor sides is seen to comprise a metal reinforcing border 34, Fig. 4, and having a concaved inner periphery 35 forminga hook. The wire screen proper 36 extends across said frame and the border of said screen is bound and stretched securely into the concaved frame portion 35 by means of wood lining fillets 37 having I convex edges fitting the 'concaved portion. These lining fillets constitute the other face or side of said frame and extend completely around same. Before their insertion into the metal reinforcing border 34 the edges of the latter stand out straight as indicated by. dotted lines at 38, Fig. 4. The four wood fillets 37, one for each side of the rectangular frame,- are then pressed or pegged into the position shown, whereby the screen border is securely and neatly bound and contacts around the inner frame periphery as. at 39, Fig. 4. The ends of the four fillets 37 are each'cut on a miter, as-

shown at 40, Fig. 2, so that they may register completely with-each other when driven into position; and after being positioned the upstanding edges 38 are turned over, as shown by the full lines 38, Fig. 4, whereby the parts aforesaid are locked together so as to form a very thin but substantial frame for the screen. a

It will be noticed with this construction and rigidity are supplied by this portion;

while the other face of the screen, which i may be used. for the inside, presents the. ap

pearance of timber, and thereby makes it possible to produce the appearance ofa complete hardwood window equipment throughout; This feature is important where emphasisi is laid on the hardwoodand ornamental finish of a. room, office, etc.

. In choosing the material for the outer reinforcing borderof the screen a cheap, non-corrosive metal, such as zinc or galvanized iron, for instance, is preferable. It

is also preferable sometimes that the foursides of said metallic border be formed of four separate strips having edges out on a miter and bound to each other by the dovetail or miter lock joint as indicated at 41, Fig. 2 or 7. In this event,the abutting miter edges along with the lock joint are securely soldered, so that the whole border consti-- tutes a rigid reinforcing agent.

In using a thin screen frame such as the foregoin r it becomes possible to set same directly low the bottom" rail 15 and to leave a sullicient portion of said bottom rail free for proper cooperation with weather strip 23. This relation is shown in Figs. 1 and 8, where the upper edge of bottom screen 21 is seen set up into a recess 42 which Inay be considered as a ortion of groove 27 in the bottom rail 15 o the lower sash.

Novel provision is also made in this invention for automatically but detachably' connecting the bottom sash and the bottom screen together when the former is lowered down onto the latter. This provision is best understood by reference to Fig. 8 and will now be described.

Into the bottom rail 15 is formed a vertical aperture 43, and near the upper portion of same is resiliently mounted a spring latch member 44, the lower end 45 of which projectsout beyond said aperture, said lower end including a latch lip 46 and a finger piece 47. The upper lining fillet'37 of the screen is formed with a latched groove or socket 48, which is alined with latch lip 46, and which is automatically engaged by same when the bottom sash is lowered onto the bottom screen. By this provision the lower sash and screen are normally connected to each other, so that the screen will ordinarily rise up through the sill passage 19 and along the vertical grooves 19 in the stiles 3 and follow the bottom sash 12, so as to gap the window opening created when the bottom sash is raised. If it is desired,

i which, the sash may be raised independently of the screen. By this construction for confnecting the bottom sash and bottom screen ,together, the resiliency of'the latch member 44 will always cause it to positively move into the path of the socket 48 so that the engage' one another when they are brought {into juxtaposition.

from the lower screen 20 as will now be described. The upper screen is adapted to be 1 guided by the parting beads 4, and for this purposethe frame is provided with U-shapcd guiding means 49, Figs. 2 and 3, bent outward from the sides of the frame substantially flush withv the border 34, which means flare adapted to lap over and slide along said parting beads. The upper screen is also pro- 'gvided with extending lips 50, Figs. 1, 5 and which are adapted to ooiiperate with spring stops 51 for supportin and retaining the screen in its upper position. The lips -;5O are also adapted to rest upon the upper edge of top rail 9 of the upper sash, so that the top screen 18 is supported by, and is araised and lowered by, the upper sash 7. If it is desired to raise the upper screen into ;chamber 17 and to maintain it in its con- Qcealed position therein while the upper sash is independently movable, it is merely necupper sash, as shown in Fig. 7, for instance.

50 will contact with the inclined portion 52 of spring stops 51 and-will press same toward the pulley stile 3, the supporting shoulder 53 of said stop passing into apertures 54 at,this time. After lips 50 rise above shoulders 53 the spring stops will rebound into their extended positions, shown in Fig. 77, and if the screen be then released the lips 50will rest upon shoulders 53 and will thus serve to support and retain the upper screen in its concealed. position. If it be later desired to lower the upper screen the spring stops 51 may be pushed toward the pulley stiles, thus releasing lips 50; or else the upper sash 7 may be raised until it contacts with lips 50. In the course of thus raising the upper sash, it will contact with the inclined portions 52 of the stops and serve to push same toward the pulley stiles in a manner obvious from the foregoing, and will thus release lips 50 from supporting shoulders 53. The lips 50 will then rest on the top rail of the upper sash and the upper screen 18 will follow the top sash in its outward course, so as to gap the window opening created by lowering said top sash.

I In order that screen windows of the foregoing description may be rendered totally fly-proof this invention contemplates the provision of a novel fly-guard attached to one of the sashes, preferably the top sash jlatch member and socket will not fail to The upper screen 18 may diifer somewhat v essary to raise the upper screen off the :As the upper screen is being thus raised, lips ice its

srjshown 5, Fig. 1. A characteristic novelty-of this fly-guard resides ina-corl struction whereby the same is resiliently reinforc'ed, so that it will extend acrossapertures of varying w1dths and "so that time and wear will not cause same to droop and thus lose itsutility as a fiy-guard. The

guard essentially comprises any suitable fly'-- reinforcing wires 57 preferably-- embedded V f within the material 56. The material is also securedto a wooden strip 58, Fig. 12, for instance, which in turn may be nailed to lock rail 10 of the top sash, as shown in Fig. 12. Fly-proof material which is resiliently reinforced, and which is mounted as above, will tend constantly to .extend in the direction perpendicular to the sashes, asshown in Fig. 1, and on this-account will contact with a the window pane of the lower sash as in Fig.

y 1 and will also contact with the bottom rail of the lower sash 12 as in Fig. 12 and. prevent at all times the entrance of flies.

novel position near the upper corners of the upper sash. By transferring the window shade brackets from their customary and stationary position on the window casing to a position on the sash, so that said brackets are movable with said sash, it is possible to lower the upper sash and upper screen, and

by then drawing the window shade down' the view of outsiders is obstructed through the window panes, while afree and unrestricted circulation of air is possible through the upper screen. In cleaning the windows, however, and forother purposes, it may be desirable to raise the bottom sash completely past the top sash, and for this reason said window shade brackets are pivotally mounted on said upper sash.

The structure essentially comprises a substantially circular base plate 62, Figs. 9, 10

and 11, said plate have an aperture 63 and being attached to the upper sash by suitable means, such as screws 64, Fig. 10, over an aperture 65' drilled into the sash. The window shade brackets 59 are provided at one end with the usual roller supportin slot or aperture 66, and at the other en s are provided with arms passed through apertures 63 of the base plate, and by means of which arms said bracket is pivotally attached to said plate. In the figures said arms are seen to comprise three in number,

the central one 67 of which extends sub-' stantially parallel to the length of bracket arms extend substantially perpendicular to ,said bracket and have beveled edges 69, Fi 11.1 The bracket is also provided with sho dais-70, Fig. 10-,- which prevent the'bracket from slipping freely through apertures 63 in the p'late'62. With this construction the bracket is partially. restrained in its. extended or operative position shown full'in Fig. 9 :and dotted in Fig. 11', by means of fingers 68, which,-in this instance, abut a ainst the base plate 62. On the other hand t e bracket is partially restrained in its collapsed or folded position, shown full in Fig. 11 by means of arms 67, which, 'in this lnstance, abut against plate 62. When the sashes are to he slipped past each other, as for purposes of cleaning, etc., the window shade and roller are removed from the brackets and the brackets are pivoted into their folded position shown full in Fig. 11. In this event there is sufiicient clearance between the rails of the two sashes to ermit same to pass each other without inter erence from the folded bracket; but in order to prevent the latter from inadvertently swinging outwardly so as to be struck by the passing sash a spring means 71, Fig. 11, is provlded, and this bears upon and coiiperates with bevel face 69 of arms 68 in such manner as to arrest bracket 59 against an inadvertent swing as aforesaid. After the windows have been cleaned the brackets may be pivoted outward into their normal position, the window shade and roller replaced and the normal operations continued.

From the foregoing detail description it is thought that the construction and mode of operating the window embracing this invention will be clean I claim 1. In disappearing screen windows, the

reinforcing border that has a concaved inner periphery forming a hook, and wood lining fillets fitting said hook and adapted to bind said screen into the concaved periphery of said metal frame.

\ 2[ In disappearing screen windows, the combination of wire screen with'a reinforced frame for said screen, said frame comprising 'on one'side a sheet metal reinforcing portion, said metal reinforcing portion having lock miter joints near its corners, and the other side of said frame comprising wood lining fillets which cooperate with the said onto same.

3. In disap earing screen windows, the combination of wire screen with a frame for said screen, said frame comprising a metal reinforcing border that has a concaved periphery, and .wood lining fillets adapted to bind said screen into the concaved periphery combination of Wire screen with a frame for said screen, sald frame comprising a metal 59, Fig. l'1-;"while th e outer two'68of said metal portion-and. serve to bind the screen portion of said metal frame, said frame also having U-shaped guiding means bent outward from its sides.

4. In disappearing screen windows, the combination of a sill having a sill passage, a thin screen frame adapted to pass through said sill passage into a concealed position, a sash having a bottom rail that is grooved on its lower edge, a thin metal weather strip mounted on said sill and outside said sill passage, the upper edge of said screen frame tend up into the groove in said bottom rail when the sash is on the sill.

5. In a window, the combination of a top and bottom sash, and a fly-guard comprising a fly proof material, and resilient means for reinforcing said material.

6. In a window, the combination of a top and'bottom sash and a fly-guard, said flyguard comprising a strip, fly proof material attached to said strip, and resilient reinforcing'1 wires'embedded in said fly proof mater1a 7. In combination, wire screen, and a frame comprising a metal reinforcing border bent to form a hook and wood fillets substantially fitting said border to hold the wire screen against said hook.

8. In combination, Wire screen, and a frame for the wire screen, said frame com-.

prising a metal reinforcing border for one face of the frame and wood fillets for the other face of said frame, said border being bent to form a hook to hold said wire screen. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 7th day of March, 1913. a

V CLINTON 'E. SOMERS.

In presence of- JAMEs R. TOWNSEND, ROBERT A. STEPS. 

